Traveling to Amsterdam
Hi! So many of you are reaching out and saying you’d love to come and visit The Netherlands. For me, some of the most basic parts of planning a trip can be the most overwhelming.
Here are some tips to make planning your own trip easier. See the next video for a schedule of day trips for flower farmers and families.
The closest major airport is Schipol Airport. We fly direct from Montreal (our closest major airport). I can find lower rates from Montreal to Amsterdam than from a smaller regional airport that is about the same distance from our home. And driving 2 hours to Montreal is easier for us than driving 5 or 6 hours to a larger US airport with more flights to The Netherlands.
The Schipol Airport complex includes a train station that you can use to quickly and inexpensively travel to the center of Amsterdam. You don’t even need to go outside. Make your way through customs and the bagage claim. Look for signs for “trains”. You’ll find ticket kiosks where you can by a one way, same day ticket to “Amsterdam Centraal.” Hop on the next departing train and you’ll have a direct trip to the city center.
We chose an apartment hotel (less expensive 2 bedroom option) near the train station. The train station is centrally located at the bottom the the rainbow-shaped city layout. Our apartment hotel is just a 9min walk from the train station.
There is no need to have a car on any of the days you plan to explore the city. The city is difficult to drive in— tons of bike traffic, pedestrian traffic, one way streets, canals — and very little parking. Parking that is available is very expensive— about 7-9 euros per hour or 55 euros per day.
Also near the train station in the center of Amsterdam, you’ll find the rental car offices (see my map). The rental car offices sit above the largest parking garage in the city. In my time here, I’ve seen that parking spaces (while expensive) are easy to find in this garage. So- if you plan to drive into the country, but want to be based in the city— you might want to choose a hotel near this garage. When driving in The Netherlands use a gps feature. The roads are marked differently here than in the US and Canada and it can be confusing. Many roads in the city center do not have lines. There are few stop signs. It can be hard to tell a bike lane from a street when you’re new here. The gps guide on your phone is super helpful.
See the next post for day trips and sights during your visit.